Submersible pool platform

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a submersible pool platform including a body portion having at least one side panel and a base portion, a platform portion having a non-slip surface, at least one anchoring means and at least one safety warning means whereby the submersible pool platform provides a collapsible platform adapted to reduce the depth of water to a safe level for children when standing on the platform and helps stabilize an inexperienced swimmer experiencing difficulty.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to swimming pools and associated swimming aids and equipment, and, in particular, to a submersible pool platform which provides a collapsible platform adapted to reduce the depth of water to a safe level for children when standing on the platform and help stabilize an inexperienced swimmer experiencing difficulty. While the invention may be applied to any person for use in any suitable body of water, for convenience sake it shall be described herein in terms of a submersible pool platform for use by children in a swimming pool.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Most swimming pools are too deep for children or inexperienced swimmers to use. Even the shallow end of most pools is too deep for young children with the water being above their head height. This means that it is difficult for the child or inexperienced swimmer to fully enjoy the pool, and more importantly renders the pool unsafe for such users. Children and inexperienced swimmers need to gain confidence in deeper water gradually, through exposure to a water level safe for them and then building up to deeper water levels. It is not practical to build pools with excessively shallow swimming ends because as the child grows and becomes more experienced in deeper water such a shallow level of water is not necessary.

In any event, even if a specific pool is adapted to accommodate children or inexperienced swimmers they are limited to using that certain pool and not other pools, which can be inconvenient if on holidays, visiting friends, or learning to swim in other pools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a submersible pool platform which provides a collapsible platform adapted to reduce the depth of water to a safe level for children when standing on the platform and help stabilise an inexperienced swimmer experiencing difficulty.

The present invention provides a submersible pool platform including:

a body portion having at least one side panel and a base portion; a platform portion having a non-slip surface; at least one anchoring means; and at least one safety warning means whereby the submersible pool platform provides a collapsible platform adapted to reduce the depth of water to a safe level for children when standing on the platform and help stabilize an inexperienced swimmer experiencing difficulty.

It is preferred that part, or all, of the body portion is collapsible when the platform is not in use so that it can be easily transported and installed at different locations and/or stored away.

The body portion preferably has at least one, preferably four, side panels adapted to form the exterior of the submersible pool platform. The side panels are adapted to be integrally formed with each other and/or along the outer edges of the base portion so that they extend vertically upward therefrom.

The side panels and base portion, preferably, have provided at least one aperture which is adapted to allow water to pass through, wherein the aperture(s) is/are preferably in the form of a slit or hole.

The platform portion is preferably integrally formed with the side panels/body portion and/or connected thereto via any other suitable means fastening or securing means and is adapted to have a non-slip surface.

It is preferred that the safety warning means is in the form of a warning flag attached to the body portion and made from a flexible material so that it will easily flex under the weight of a small child thereby preventing injury in the event contact does occur.

It is preferred that the anchoring means is in the form of a suction cup or rubber mount/stopper which is adapted to be mounted to the underside of the base portion in order to secure the platform to a pool floor.

The platform portion is preferably adapted to have provided an interconnecting means, preferably in the form of lipped edge or flanged portion surrounding the entire perimeter of the platform portion, to enable one or more platforms to be interconnected to create a larger stabilised submersible pool platform.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood we will describe by way of non-limiting example specific embodiments thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the submersible pool platform according to an embodiment of the invention; and,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of two submersible platforms connected together according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 2 show the submersible pool platform according to an embodiment of the invention.

The present invention provides a submersible pool platform 1, which provides a collapsible platform adapted to reduce the depth of water to a safe level for children when standing on the platform and help stabilize an inexperienced swimmer experiencing difficulty. The invention shall be described herein in terms of a submersible pool platform 1 which is ideally adapted for use by at least one child in any swimming pool, including aboveground and underground pools. However, it is envisaged that the submersible pool platform 1 may also be modified for use by any person in any suitable body of water.

The submersible pool platform 1 and/or its components can preferably be made of any suitable material so long as it is water-resistant and will not rot or corrode, durable and meets the requirements of the invention. It is envisaged that the shape, size and dimensions of the submersible pool platform 1 and/or its components may also be varied to suit different pools and users and/or other applications. In particular, it is preferred that the submersible pool platform 1 may, preferably, be adapted to be adjustable for use in various depths of water such that the depth of water from the platform surface to the pool surface can be adjusted according to the desire of the user. In use, the submersible pool platform 1 is immersed in the pool and then adjusted to any desired depth, preferably a depth such that a child can stand on the submersible pool platform 1 with their head easily above the pool water level.

The submersible pool platform 1 preferably has provided a body portion 2. The body portion 2 is preferably square or rectangular in shape. However, it is envisaged that any other shape or dimensions may be employed to better suit the type of swimming pool in which it will be primarily be used in. The outer surface and edges of the body portion 2 is preferably adapted to be substantially smooth and/or rounded so that there are no components likely to cause injury, such as sharp, jagged, or pointed components.

The body portion 2, preferably, comprises at least one side panel 10. In a preferred embodiment, the platform has four side panels 10. The panels 10 are preferably adapted to form the exterior of the submersible pool platform 1 so that any other components, such as any structural components, are enclosed within the body portion 2 of the submersible pool platform 1. The enclosed components will therefore not be a safety risk when using the submersible pool platform 1. The panels 10 and/or body portion 2 are preferably made of a flexible material to enable the panels 10 to be collapsible when the platform 1 is not in use so that it can be easily transported and installed at different locations and/or stored away. However, it is envisaged that any suitable material may be employed. In a preferred embodiment, the platform 1 has provided a base portion 20. The side panels 10 are preferably adapted to be integrally formed with each other and/or along the outer edges of the base portion 20 so that they extend vertically upward therefrom. However, is envisaged that any other suitable means may be used to join the panels 10 and/or base portion 20 together, such as heat-sealing, welding or a fastening device.

The side panels 10 and base portion 20 preferably have provided at least one aperture 3 which is adapted to allow water to pass through. Allowing water to permeate the submersible pool platform 1 will assist in ensuring the submersible pool platform 1 remains submersed in the water. The apertures 3 may take the form of any suitable shape for encouraging the flow of water therethrough and are preferably suitably sized so that a small child will not be able to get their fingers or feet trapped within them. Preferably, the aperture(s) is/are in the form of a slit or hole. In an alternate embodiment, it is envisaged that these apertures may be omitted, relying on the weight of the body portion 2 or a securing means to securely maintain the platform's position in the water.

The body portion 2 of the submersible pool platform 1, preferably, has provided a platform portion 30. The platform portion 30 is preferably located at the top of the submersible pool platform 1 and is positioned and connected above the side panels 10 of the body portion 2. It is envisaged that the platform portion 30 may be integrally formed with the side panels 10 and/or connected thereto via any other suitable means fastening or securing means. The platform portion 30 has provided a non-slip surface 31. The non-slip surface 31 may preferably be in the form of a ventilated matting or surface material made from any suitable material, such as rubber or the like, used to provide a non-slip surface in an underwater environment. Preferably, the non-slip matting 31 will be replaceable as exposure to external factors such as chlorine and sun may weaken the material over time. The non-slip matting 31 is preferably adapted to overhang the edges of the body portion 2 of the platform 1 having at least one tab and/or other suitable fastening means 32 for securing the matting 31 to the body portion 2, preferably at the middle and corners of the submersible pool platform pontoon 1. In a further embodiment, it is envisaged that the matting 31 may be replaced with a non-slip upper surface for the platform portion 30 which may be detachable or permanent.

The height of the submersible pool platform 1 will be varied to suit the depth of the pool and amount of depth which needs to be reduced. For example, a platform having a height of one meter sitting in a pool with a depth of one and a half meters, will reduce the depth of the water over the platoon to half a meter. Greatly reducing the depth of the water makes the pool much safer for use by smaller or less experienced swimmers. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that the height of the platform 1 may be adjustable via a suitable adjustment means and/or use of optional support structures provided in different lengths and dimensions.

It is further preferred that at least one corner/edge of the body portion 2 has provided a recessed portion/holder 4, which is adapted to allow at least one warning flag 5, indicating the platform's position in the water, to be received therein. However, it is envisaged that that warning flag(s) 5 could also be positioned in other locations of the body portion 2, for example the center of the platform surface, as desired. Warning flags 5 will be particularly important for people entering the pool, especially those diving into the pool, so that they are aware of the positioning of the submersible pool platform 1 and a change in the depth conditions of the pool at that position. The warning flag(s) 5 is/are preferably made from a flexible material so that they easily flex under the weight of a small child thereby preventing injury in the event contact does occur.

The submersible pool platform 1 preferably has provided at least one anchoring means (not shown). The anchoring means is preferably in the form of a suction cup or rubber mount/stopper which is adapted to be mounted to the underside of the base portion 20 in order to secure the platform 1 to a pool floor. Preferably, in the case of a pool with a smooth finish on its floor, the suction cup(s) is/are adapted to secure the submersible pool platform 1 to the pool floor and prevent movement. In the case of a pool with a floor not adapted to allow the correct action of a suction cup, such as a rough finished floor, the rubber mount(s)/stopper(s) may preferably be used to anchor the submersible pool platform 1. Preferably, the anchoring means are adapted to be adjustable for use in pools with sloping or uneven floors. In a further embodiment, it is envisaged that the anchoring means may be weighted to assist in securing the platform 1 to the ground surface.

The platform portion 30 is preferably adapted to have provided an interconnecting means, preferably in the form of a lipped edge or flanged portion surrounding the entire perimeter of the platform portion, to enable one or more platforms to be interconnected to create a larger stabilised submersible pool platform 1. This will allow various different shapes and sizes to be created according to the needs of the user. The submersible pool platform 1 preferably further comprises at least one interconnecting means 8 which is adapted to securely hold adjacent interconnected platforms 1 together. Preferably the interconnecting means 8 are in the form of a clip or the like which is adapted to be attached to the corners or sides of the body portion 2. However, it is acknowledged that any other suitable fastening/securing means could also be employed. In a further embodiment, it is envisaged that the body portion 2 may have provided at least one integrally formed complimentary connecting portion which can be used to connect adjacent platforms 1.

While we have described herein a particular embodiment of a submersible pool platform 1 for use in a swimming pool, it is further envisaged that other embodiments of the invention could exhibit any number and combination of any one of the features previously described. However, it is to be understood that any variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. 

1. A submersible pool platform including: a body portion having at least one side panel and a base portion; a platform portion having a non-slip surface; at least one anchoring means; and at least one safety warning means whereby the submersible pool platform provides a collapsible platform adapted to reduce the depth of water to a safe level for children when standing on the platform and help stabilise an inexperienced swimmer experiencing difficulty.
 2. A submersible pool platform as claimed in claim 1 wherein part or all of the body portion is collapsible when the platform is not in use so that it can be easily transported and installed at different locations and/or stored away.
 3. A submersible pool platform as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body portion has at least one, preferably four, side panels adapted to form the exterior of the submersible pool platform.
 4. A submersible pool platform as claimed in claim 3 wherein the side panels are adapted to be integrally formed with each other and/or along the outer edges of the base portion so that they extend vertically upward therefrom.
 5. A submersible pool platform as claimed in claim 1 wherein the side panels and base portion have provided at least one aperture which is adapted to allow water to pass through.
 6. A submersible pool platform as claimed in claim 5 wherein the aperture(s) is/are in the form of a slit or hole.
 7. A submersible pool platform as claimed in claim 1 wherein the platform portion is integrally formed with the side panels/body portion and/or connected thereto via any other suitable means fastening or securing means.
 8. A submersible pool platform as claimed in claim 1 wherein the platform portion has a non-slip surface.
 9. A submersible pool platform as claimed in claim 1 wherein the safety warning means is in the form of a warning flag attached to the body portion and made from a flexible material so that it will easily flex under the weight of a small child thereby preventing injury in the event contact does occur.
 10. A submersible pool platform as claimed in claim 1 wherein the anchoring means is in the form of a suction cup or rubber mount/stopper which is adapted to be mounted to the underside of the base portion in order to secure the platform to a pool floor.
 11. A submersible pool platform as claimed in claim 1 wherein the platform portion is adapted to have provided an interconnecting means, preferably in the form of a lipped edge or flanged portion surrounding the entire perimeter of the platform portion, to enable one or more platforms to be interconnected to create a larger stabilised submersible pool platform. 